colby



4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

T.. E. COLBY. BUTTON EoLE SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 18, 1890.

DT E A W/TNESSES:

(No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet 2.

T. E. GO-LBY. BUTTON EOLE SEWING MACHINE.

110.441,058. Patented Nov.18,1890.

A TTOHNE (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

T. E. GOLBY.

BUTTON EoLE SEWING MACHINE. 110.441,058. Patented Nov. 18, 1890.

r rfi/,mn E 5% Q T E r Nunn mi! k E' "d: NET

QI f1 C 'L-l L Il' L I gl l /PM/ I FZat 1 Pla f f' f ,P

EEE@

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

T. E. COLBY. BUTTON BULB SEWING MACHINE.

,058. Patente-d Nov. 18, 1890.

WWA/5555s UNITED STATES ATENT Fries.

THOMAS E. COLBY, OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO COLBY & OO., OF SAME PLACE.

BUTTON-HOLE SEWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 441,058, dated November 18, 1890.

Application led January 30, 1890. Serial No. 338,585. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. CoLBY, of the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Button-Hole Sewing- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to button-hole sewing-machines in which the work is fed beneath the needle, so as to stitch the buttonhole automatically, which is then cut either automatically or by hand.

The object of my invention is to conveniently provide for stitching a plurality of button-holes simultaneously at any desired or an equal distance apart in work requiring such a plurality of button-holes-as trouserwaistbands-by a machine in charge of only a single operator.

My invention by which I attain this end comprises various novel features, as hereinafter pointed out in the claims.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I shall iirst describe in detail the mode in which I at present prefer to carry the invention into effect, and then particularly point out its various features in claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in Which- Figure l is a cross-sectional elevation of a multiple button-hole sewing-machine einbodying my invention on the line l l, Fig. 2, some parts not essential to the invention not being shown. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the said machine, some parts also not being shown and others broken away. Fig. 3 is a partial front elevation of the same, partly in section, on the line 3 3, Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the lower part of the workclamp carriage of the same. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the machine on the line 5 5, Fig. l, illustrating part of the clamp-carriage-operating mechanism. Fig. 6 is a similar view on the line 6 6, Fig. l, illustrating another part of the clamp-carriage-operating mechanism. Fig. 7 is a similar view on the line 7 7, Fig. 2, illustrating still another part of the clamp-carriage-operating mechanism.

Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views of a part here- 5o inafter referred to.

Like letters of reference designate corresponding parts in the various Iigures.

The supporting frame-work of the machine thus illustrated is constructed of end standards A A', rigidly braced and connected by longitudinal members B B', which are pro` vided with parallel top guideways C C, on which the several frames D of a plurality of independent stitching mechanisms E, which 6o may be of any approved construction, as that indicated, are mounted to slide, so as to be adjustable relatively to each other for varying the distance between the several buttonholes to be formed in the work.

The several stitching mechanismsE are ary ranged to be driven simultaneously and in unison by a longitudinal drive-shaft F, mounted to revolve in the end standards A A and carrying bevel-gears F', which engage '7o the usual bevel-gears E of the several stitcliing mechanisms E, and the gears F are also' adjustable on the drive-shaft F for maintaining their engagement with the gears E when the stitching mechanisms are adjusted as and for the purpose above stated.

The drive-shaft F is provided, as usual, with a drivepulley G, and may be started or stopped at Will by means ot' the ordinary cone friction-gear, as desired.

The work-clamps l'I belonging to the several stitching mechanisms are adapted to hold and feed the work to the latter in the usual manner, so as to automatically stitch the button-holes, and in order that they may be operated simultaneously and in unison for simultaneously stitching the several buttonholes in the work are severally attached at their rear ends to a single longitudinal squaresectioned bar I, which is rigidly secured at 9o its ends to the upturned arms J of a U- shaped piece J, forming with the bar I a carriage which, when given the feeding motion common to button-hole machines, compels the several Work-clamps II to take simultaneously and in unison a like feeding motion. Y

The several work-clamps vH are socketed to the bar I, so as to be adjustable thereon relatively to each other in varying the spacing of the button-holes, as before stated, and are provided, respectively, with binding-screws K, Fig. 1, for locking them to the bar I after proper adjustment thereon.

The clamp-carriage I J is provided on its under side with transverse guideways L, equally distant from its middle, which work on corresponding guideways L on a slide M, whereby the carriage, and hence the workclamps H, are guided in the usual backwardand-forward motion imparted, as hereinafter described, lengthwise of the button-holes for forming the parallel lines of stitching at the sides of the same.

The slide M is provided on its front and back edges with longitudinal guideways M', which work on corresponding guideways N formed on another slide N, whereby the slide M is guided in the usual movement, produced as hereinafter described, transverse to the button-holes, carrying with it the clamp-carriage I J and work-clamps H, by which movement the work is automatically shifted laterally as the lines of stitching on one side of the several button-holes are simultaneously completed, so that as the motion of the workclamps lengthwise of the button-holes is re- -versed the lines of stitching on the other sides thereof will be formed. The slide N is likewise formed with front and back longitudinal guideways N2, which work on corresponding fixed guideways B2, formed on the longitudinal members B B 0f the framework of the machine, so as to guide the slide N, which is, as hereinafter described, given the usual short but rapid reciprocatory motion transverse to the button-holes, carrying with it the clamp-carriage and clamps, so as to form the individual parts of the lines of stitches on the sides of the button-holes. To impart this latter continuous reciprocatory motion to the slide N, and hence to the carriage IJ and work-clamps,l mount a shaft O lengthwise in the frame-work of the niachine and connect it with the drive-shaft F by multiplying gearing O', so as to give the shaft O a rapid rotary motion. On the shaft O, I fix a cam-wheel O2, having a peripheral return double groove O3,in which is arranged to travel a rider O1 on a lever O5, which is pivoted to the frame-work, and is connected medially to the slide N by a pivotal link OG, the adjustment and arrangement being such that as the cam-wheel O2 revolves the slide N, and hence the clamp-carriage and clamps H, will be given the required rapid reciprocatory motion transverse to the button-holes.

To obtain the lateral shifting motion of the slide M, and hence of the work-clamps H as the ends of the lines of stitches at the sides of the button-holes are reached -in turn, I fix another wheel P, having a cam-rib P, on the shaft 0, and mount on the cam-rib P a rider P2, pivoted to one end of a lever P3, which is pivoted at its other end to a fixed support P4v on the frame-work of the machine, and is provided with a longitudinal slot P5, in which rides and turns a pin P6, fixed to the end of a pawl-carrying lever P7. The said lever P7 is fulcrumed medially and loosely on a short vertical shaft P8, which is mounted to turn, and is held by collars in a bearing P9 on the slide N, and on the lower part of the vertical shaft P8 is fixed a ratchet-wheel P10, which is alternately engaged on opposite sides by the springpressed pawls P11 on the opposite ends of the lever P7 in such a manner that as the shaft O rapidly revolves, as before described, the cam-rib P on the wheel P will cause the lever P3 to swing back and forth laterally on its fixed support P1, and hence, by the pin-andslot connection described, the pawl-carrying lever P7 to slowly revolve the ratchet-wheel P10 and shaft P8 continuously in one direction. On the upper end of the shaft P8 is fixed a cam P12, having opposite cam-shoulders P13, which revolve between and alternately engage, as best shown in Fig. 6, stud-rollers P11, mounted on a small follower P15, which works loosely on the upper face of the slide N, and

to the follower P15 is pivoted one end of a lever P16, Fig. 6, which is pivoted medially by a pin-and-slot connection P17 to the slide N and at its other end to the upper slide M, which, with the clamp-carriage and workclamps, is thereby shifted laterally and alternately in opposite directions as the shoulders of the cam P12 alternately engage the studrollers P14 on the small follower P15.

The described motion of the clamp-carriage I J and clamps H lengthwise of the buttonholes is here obtained by fixing a heart-cam Q to the upper end of the short vertical shaft PS above the cam PI2 between two stud-rollers Q', carried by a follower cross-head Q2, which is mounted to slide transversely of the slide M, and hence in the direction of the lengths of the button-holes, in a slotted guide Q2, fixed to the slide M, and the cross-head Q2 is connected by a link Q1 with the middle part of the clamp-carriage I J, so that as the heart-cam Q slowly revolves the clamp-carriage will by the said link-and-cross-head connection be moved alternately backward and forward, as required.

The relative adjustment and arrangement of the mechanism for imparting the gradual motion of the clamp-carriage lengthwise of the button-hole, the intermittent lateral shifting motion, and the continuous rapid lateral motion, are such that lines of stitches are first formed simultaneously on one side of the button-holes, the work then shifted so as to start the lines of stitches on the opposite sides of the button-holes, and the work then returned lengthwise of the button-holes, so as to complete the said opposite lines of stitches, all automatically and simultaneously and substantially as on the single button-hole machines at present in use, with the great advantage that one operator can by this invention work any number of button-holes simultaneously. At the completion of the IOO ITO

button-holes the machine, and hence all the button-hole stitching mechanisms, may be stoppedby the single operator by the clutch in the usual manner or automatically by any approved form of stop-motion, as desired.

For rasing all the presser-feet R simultaneously, in order to introduce the work at the beginning or to remove it when the button-holes are stitched, I mount a rock-shaft R at its ends in the upturned arms of the body .I of the clamp-carriage in front of the clamp-carrying bar I, so that said rock-shaft will be carried with the clamp-carriage in its feeding motion. The rock-shaft is formed with cams R2, respectively, beneath the arms of the several presser-feet R, which are pivoted to swing vertically to lugs R2, carried by the respective work-clamps H above the same, and are normally pressed downward by springs R4, coiled on screw-rods R5, carried by the work-clamps and provided with tension-nuts R6, the arrangement being such that when the rock-shaft R is rocked all the presser-feet R, the treads R7 of which are connected to their arms by swivel springjoints Riso as to give the treads always an even bearing on the work-clamps H, are simultaneously raised by the cams R2 against the pressure of the springs R1. The rockshaft R is also provided at its ends with arms R9, which are connected by flexible connections, as the chains R10, to the arms R11 of a rock-shaft R12, which is mounted longitudinally of and at the lower part of the framework of the machine, and is provided medially with a treadle R13 in reach of the single operator, by which the latter is enabled to work all the presser-feet, as described, irrespective of the motion or position of the presser-feet as they are carried or adjusted with the work-clamps, as before described.

I claim as my inventionl. In a multiple button-hole sewing-machine, the combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of aplurality of stitch-forming mechanisms arranged side by side, their work-clamps and driving-shafts, a carriage holding the several work-clamps, a button-- hole-feed mechanism to operate the clampcarriage, and a cam-shaft to drive the buttonhole-feed mechanism extending transversely to the said driving-shafts.

2. In a multiple button hole sewing-machine, the combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a plurality of stitch-forming mechanisms, their Work-clam ps, a buttonhole-feed mechanism comprising a transversely-vbrating guide-plate, and a U-shaped carriage mounted to reciprocate longitudinally on said guide-plate and having a bar connecting its upright arms, on which bar the clamps are held.

3. In a multiple button-hole sewing -machine, the combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a plurality of stitch-forming mechanisms, means for adjusting the same laterally, their work clamps, a button-holefeed mechanism, and a carriage operated thereby having a transverse bar, on which the work-clamps are mounted to slide laterally for adjustment.'

4. In a multiple button *hole sewing -machine, the combination,substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a plurality of stitch-forming mechanisms, their work-clamps,abutton hole-feed mechanism, a U-shaped carriage operated by the same and having a bar connecting its upright arms, on which the several clamps are held, a rock-shaft mounted to turn in said upright arms and having a plurality of cam-arms adapted to engage the presserfeet of the respective work-clamps, and means for turning the rock-shaft.

5. In a button -hole sewing-machine, the combinatiomwith a frame-work havingguideways B2 and a driving mechanism, of a slide N, having guideways N and Working in the guideways B2, mechanism whereby the slide N is reciprocated on the guideways B2, a driven shaft 0, a cam-wheel P,a cam-rider P2, a cam P12, mounted to revolve on the reciprocatory slide N, operating-connections between the cam-rider P2 and the cam P12, whereby the latter is revolved on the slide N while moving therewith, a slide M, working in the guideways N of the slide N, a cam-follower P15, acted upon by the cam P12, and operatingconnections between the slide M and the camfollower P15, whereby the slide M is reciprocated in the guideways N of the slide N, and a clampcarriage carried by the slide M in said movement, whereby the said clamp-carriage is given an intermittent shifting motion, substantially as set forth.`

G. In a button-hole sewing-machine, the co1nbinati0n,with a frame-work having guideways B2 and a driving mechanism, of a slide N, having guideways N and working on the guideways B2, mechanism whereby the slide N is reciprocated thereon, a slide M, having guideways L and working on t-he guideways N of the slide N, and mechanism whereby the slide M is alternately shifted thereon, a clamp-carriage working on the guideways L of the slide M, a driven shaft O, a cam Q, mounted to turn on the slide N, operatingoonnections between the driven shaft O and said cam Q, whereby the latter is rotated, a cam-follower Q2, and operating-connections between the said camfollower Q2 and the clamp-carriage, whereby the latter is reciprocated on the guideways L of the slide M, substantially as set forth.

THOMAS E. ooLBY. [n s] IOO IIO 

